Fred Olsen's cruise liner Boudicca made an inaugural visit to Poole Harbour (Dorse UK) on June 4, becoming port's biggest cruise vessel to berth to date.
Weighing 28,000 GT, the 205-m long MV Boudicca berthed at South Quay as part of an 8-day itinerary marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day Landings in Normandy. Fred Olsen's cruise passengers participated in Poole's D-Day commemorations, which are expected to be attended by 300+ veterans this week.
Boudicca's port call also marked a “significant milestone” in the operation of the brand new GBP 10 million (USD 12.6 million) South Quay, that has been expanded over the past 7 years to become a 200-metre-long and 40-metre-wide deep water quay able to accommodate cruise ships carrying over 1,000 guests.
The project received GBP 8.5 million in funding from NatWest (National Westminster Bank) - 1968-established major UK banking group.